RAIN Notes: February 11
News
Podcast producer Red Seat Ventures acquired by Fox
In a significant claim to podcast credibility, and reclaiming of star affiliations, Fox Corp. has acquired Red Seat Ventures, an audio and video producer with a specialty in podcasting. The deal reclaims two former Fox stars. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 10
The many shades of podcast advertising (Ad Results Media)
Measurability of podcast advertising has been a hurdle for buyers and sellers across the entire life of the category. Despite many meaningful advances in campaign measurement across the decades of audience growth, efforts to educate and reassure buyers are often part of agency promotions. A new study from podcast advertising agency Ad Results Media is both informational and tutorial, per that company’s defining style. Click for details and the download link. Continue Reading
Podcasts paying off at Google/Alphabet, and Q4 earnings
In this week’s lengthy Q4 earnings call, the word “podcast” was mentioned six times: Three times each by Sudar Pichai (CEO, Google and Alphabet) and Philipp Schindler (Chief Business Officer, Google). Click for those details, and the financial rundown. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 6
— Continuing Self-Reinvention (Universal Music Group)
— The Enduring Top 3 (Edison Research)
— — Head First (Dane Cardiel)
Steve Goldstein: AI Slop is Everywhere – and it’s getting worse
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein concentrates his latest article on “AI slop” — low-quality, generic, or soulless AI-generated content that clutters the digital space. Many AI products and enhancements feel like solutions in search of a problem. Yes, “AI” moves markets, but at what cost? Steve dives deep in his analysis of AI content, consumer reaction to it, and — crucially — five types of damage from sonic slop. A must-read. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 3
— Closing the (Audio)book, Spotify Prevails in Lawsuit Defense (Spotify)
— Nominations Welcome (Women’s Podcasters Awards)
— Onward and Upward (PQ Media) Continue Reading
SiriusXM 2024 financials: Slight revenue loss across the board
SiriusXM released its full-year finance comparisons, for the organization as a whole, and its Pandora streaming music subsidiary. The report offers both full-year and Q4 2024 numbers. Here, we focus on the full-year picture. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: January 31
— A Voice of Integrity (Sean Ross)
— Crowd Reaction (Barrett Media)
— Greatness Ranked (Great Pods) Continue Reading
iHeartMedia lands exclusive U.S. ad repping of BBC podcasts
In a major cross-continental announcement, iHeartMedia has landed an agreement with BBC Studios to be the exclusive third-party sales partner for BBC podcasts in the U.S. “We couldn’t be more honored and excited,” said iHM CEO Conal Byrne Continue Reading
Audacy completes bankruptcy process; CEO David Field exits
Broadcasting/audio giant Audacy has closed its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process which started a year ago. At this important juncture, CEO David Field steps out of his leadership roles of President, CEO, and board member. A new CEO steps in from the Board of Directors as the interim leader. Click for details. Continue Reading